The monthly charge stung until I counted the pastry case

I run a small cafe, so 'just a bite' is basically my job description. For months I told myself the medication was too expensive while quietly eating day-old scones and broken cookies after close. When I actually added it up, those cleanup bites were costing me more than the prescription. I still taste every batch—that hasn't changed—but now it's one spoonful, not four. Last week I packed two muffins for home instead of a whole tray, and that felt like a small miracle. The monthly charge is real, and I won't pretend it doesn't sting. But the quiet at 9 p.m., when I'm not negotiating with the pastry case, is worth it to me. If you work around food, how do you handle the constant tasting without making it a second meal?